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Charlie Hunnam talks Fifty Shades of Grey to US publication

Story by Jack Foley

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CHARLIE Hunnam has opened up to reveal a few secrets about his casting in Fifty Shades of Grey.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter and a handful of other reporters in the US, the Sons of Anarchy star said that he and co-star Dakota Johnson already have “tangible chemistry” and that he wouldn’t shy away from some of the book’s more racy material.

Hunnam and Johnson were surprise choices for many fans of the book, some of whom have subsequently started a petition calling for the actors to be re-cast.

But Hunnam is confident he can do the character of Christian Grey justice.

And commenting on his casting and the anticipated chemistry between himself and his co-star, he said: “As soon as we got in the room and started reading with Dakota, I knew that I definitely wanted to do it, because there was a tangible chemistry between us. It felt kind of exciting and fun and weird and compelling, and so that was it.”

He also said that he was looking forward to working with the film’s director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, given that their first meeting had got him excited to read the books and really get to know the character of Grey.

He also discussed the film’s content, saying that some of the more difficult material wouldn’t be a problem for him.

“My first job was on a Channel 4 mini-series called Queer As Folk,” he explained. “[There were] incredibly explicit sexual scenes with a man… I mean, I’m 16- and 17-years wiser now. So, if I could do it when I was 18 with a guy, I can certainly do it at 33 with a lady.”

And finally he credited his girlfriend, jewellery designer Morgana McNelis, with persuading him to take the role, saying she “loved the books” and insisting that she wasn’t bothered by some of the material.

“[She] was really excited about the potential of the opportunity for me,” he concluded.